Jovens adultos que viveram acolhidos: autonomização desafiante

In Portugal, the foster care issue is not new. The former foster home resident youngster’s autonomization is naturally defying, because of their life history before and during the time in foster care. This article aims to present Plataforma PAJE – Apoio a Jovens (Ex)acolhidos, as well as justifying its birth and intervention. PAJE’s target people are youngsters who lived in foster homes. Based on a holistic perspective, the Bioecological Model (Bronfenbrenner), it encompasses every context in which they have been included. This developmental vision, alongside with a multidisciplinary approach, acts in three axis: Support to former foster home residents; Trainingin Foster Homes; Scientific research. By contacting the downstream problem, Plataforma PAJE prevents its upstream, and applies a model of non formal education, directed towards autonomization, respecting individuality, and having each one’s life history as its work basis, promoting a successful emancipation, favorable transitions and social inclusion.